Lawlor welcomes €2.25 billion infrastructure stimulus programme to create much needed jobs

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has welcomed the announcement by the Government of a €2.25 billion domestic infrastructure stimulus programme which is designed to give the economy a boost and create much needed jobs in Kildare North and across the rest of the country. Celbridge specifically benefits from the programme as two new schools are planned to be developed, reflecting the government’s commitment to education.

“I am delighted with today’s announcement which will pump €2.25 billion into the Irish economy, making significant investments in roads and schools across the country and creating 13,000 jobs.

“Today’s announcement represents an important investment in our future through the provision of top class educational facilities, reform of our healthcare facilities, enhancing our roads which will improve travel helping us to transport people and goods more safely and efficiently.

“In the transport sector, €850 million will be invested in upgrading the national motorway and primary route network. Ireland’s financial difficulties in recent years have made it very difficult to successfully award any major Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts, with the result that numerous projects were stalled. Today’s announcement breaks this deadlock and allows us to move forward with a number of our priority transport projects.

“In the education sector, €280 million will be invested in building 12 new or replacement schools as well as consolidating Dublin Institute of Technology into one single educational facility at Grangegorman. This development also represents an opportunity for substantial development and rejuvenation of an important inner city urban quarter in Dublin.

“In the health sector, €155 million will be invested in building up to 20 Primary Care Centres across the country with more to follow. Developing the network of Primary Care Centres is a key component of the Programme for Government to reform the health service, providing an essential point of contact for people who need access to health services in the years ahead. Kildare North could greatly benefit from this, as Kilcock is a candidate for the building of a Primary Care Centre.

“In the justice sector, €190 million will be invested in the State Pathology Laboratory, two new Garda divisional headquarters and a number of courthouses.

“The projects included in this package will be delivered through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) securing value for money for the Exchequer while delivering on projects that will significantly benefit towns and cities across the country.

“Creating jobs is this Government’s number one priority and I look forward to seeing the benefits today’s announcement brings to Kildare North. The development of two new schools in Celbridge ensures that youth in Kildare will have the educational opportunities needed to enter, and succeed, in the workforce. Hundreds of jobs will also be created in the construction sector for Kildare North upon building the Celbridge schools, furthering the Government’s priority of job creation.

ENDS